Rotherham man turned up at ex’s house with gas-powered pistol

A man who tried to “terrorise” his ex-partner by turning up at her house with a gas-powered pistol and punching her in the face has been jailed.
The gun used by Simon SouthThe gun used by Simon South
The gun used by Simon South

Simon South sent the woman threatening messages showing a photograph of two firearms, threatening to kill her and her daughter and warning that he was “armed and ready.”

The 36-year-old then arrived at her home later that evening armed with a gas-powered pistol and smashed her front door window with the butt of the weapon.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

When she opened the door, South, from Warren Road in Wickersley, Rotherham, punched the woman in the face and threatened her with the pistol before walking away, South Yorkshire Police say.

Simon SouthSimon South
Simon South

The incident on November 15 last year started when South and the woman were involved in a disagreement at a pub in Wickersley earlier in the evening, which resulted in South being asked to leave.

He then began making phone calls and sending a series of threatening and increasingly aggressive messages to the woman, police say.

Police were called to the woman’s home after the attack and the victim continued to receive further messages from South, threatening he would return later with more weapons.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He was later arrested at his home in Warren Road and police found the pistol he had used as well as an air rifle.

He was charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, assault, and criminal damage.

He pleaded guilty to the first two charges and not guilty to criminal damage. He was jailed for four months and handed a two-year suspended sentence this week at Sheffield Crown Court.

Detective Inspector Mick Hackin of South Yorkshire Police said: “Simon South had one intention that night and that was to terrorise his ex partner and make her fear for her life in her own home.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Her teenage daughter and several of her friends were at the house with her at the time and would undoubtedly have been terrified at what appeared to be very real threats of violence.

“The defendant lost his temper and wanted to frighten the woman and he will now spend the next four months of his life behind bars.

“Domestic violence is a top priority and this case should send a very clear message to perpetrators that we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour and will do everything we can to protect vulnerable people and achieve justice for them.”